Gaiman on Copyright

[BrianFreeman]

Oh, and I'm always interested in what Neil Gaiman has to say on topics like this. He's certainly been around the block a few times and he seems to really think about a topic before he gives his opinion.

Brian

[TGS]

Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan

All I'll say about this is it's not accurate as the absolute statement he presented.

Try looking and listening at 3.35

Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan

We at MR know people who have obtained ebooks for free and have not bought the printed copy (or the pay-for ebook). We also know people who did buy the book or ebook after obtaining a free copy. There are some of both out there (and we won't try to quantify them against each other here).

That wasn't the point he was making.

[taustin]

Originally Posted by birdbrainbb

Oh, how neat! I remember when they did the freebie American Gods thing-- everyone was surprised at how much the sales increased. It was kind of funny, actually.

Baen has had similiar experiences with their free ebook library. When they started giving away On Basilisk Station, the paper version went back to #1 in sales, despite having been out for several years. It's been back to #1 repeatedly since, usually when Baen is promoting their free library.

[Caltsar]

I love when authors give away a free eBook, especially when it's the first in a series. Usually I don't buy the one they gave away, but it's often an author I've never heard of or never bothered to read and the free eBook is what often brings me to read something from that author in the first place. They may lose a sale of that particular book from me, but if I like the work, they can gain many more sales as I buy more from that author.

Unlike music and movies, a sample chapter has never really been a motivator for me to buy a particular book, and I'm sure I'm not the only one to feel that way. Neil Gaiman is an established author though, and I'm not surprised giving away an eBook for free sparked tons of new sales.

[Catlady]

Publishers obviously know that freebies spark sales. That's why they themselves give away an earlier title when the author has a book in the pipeline. The strategy clearly works, or they wouldn't do it.

[Hatgirl]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Publishers obviously know that freebies spark sales. That's why they themselves give away an earlier title when the author has a book in the pipeline. The strategy clearly works, or they wouldn't do it.

I can attest to that. Just a few hours ago I was mooching around my local bookshop and picked up the first in Oisín McGann's Wildenstern series - and I thought to check for it because I had read and enjoyed the free short story set in that world.

[BrianFreeman]

Well, honestly, who doesn't love a free read -- especially if it turns out to be a GOOD read.

Brian

[guyanonymous]

Originally Posted by Jellby

The title said "Gaimen" until I corrected it.

Thanks!

[mr ploppy]

Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan

" No one who would have bought your book is going to not buy it because they can get it for free "

All I'll say about this is it's not accurate as the absolute statement he presented. We at MR know people who have obtained ebooks for free and have not bought the printed copy (or the pay-for ebook). We also know people who did buy the book or ebook after obtaining a free copy. There are some of both out there (and we won't try to quantify them against each other here).

He was talking about "fans" (fanatics). The sort of people who will buy your (e)book the day it is released because they have been looking forward to reading it. Those are the sort of readers you want, not just because of the first day boost, but also because they will drag along a lot of new readers that they tell about you.

Like he says, very few people will have discovered their favourite writer by buying a new book, most of them will have read a book for free in one form or another (which would include second hand paperbacks from a writer's perspective).

So if piracy (another way to read for free) creates just one new fanatic per thousand downloads it would be worthwhile. Assuming you have more than one story to tell. If not I can see how it could be a problem, but with only one story you were never going to make a living from writing anyway.

If you're feeling brave, why don't you release one of your ebooks onto the pirate scene under an assumed name? See what happens to your sales and report back.

[wvcherrybomb]

Since I learned how to obtain pirated books, I have used them as a sampler buffet of sorts. I have found a few authors there I had never heard of. If I find a book that I love, I head over to Amazon and buy it legally. One of the authors, I have not only bought the book I originally got pirated, but also three more of her books. By the same token, if I hate it, I delete it without reading further and forget about it.

Books that I know for sure I want, I just buy legally and skip the darkside all together. I have purchased MORE books since discovering the free ones. I do think authors should be paid for their work, just like anyone else, but I also don't want to pay for garbage. I know Amazon has a return policy for ebooks but I don't want to do that as I have heard people have had their accounts canceled over it. I love Amazon and don't want to lose my account.

I have also purchased books in series' that I got the first edition on a free promotion. In my case, getting free books - by whatever means - has led to me spending more money on ebooks.

[silasgreenback]

Originally Posted by wvcherrybomb

...I have found a few authors there I had never heard of. If I find a book that I love, I head over to Amazon and buy it legally. One of the authors, I have not only bought the book I originally got pirated, but also three more of her books. By the same token, if I hate it, I delete it without reading further and forget about it.

Books that I know for sure I want, I just buy legally and skip the darkside all together. I have purchased MORE books since discovering the free ones....

I have also purchased books in series' that I got the first edition on a free promotion. In my case, getting free books - by whatever means - has led to me spending more money on ebooks.

You are the perfect example of what happens when people get a chance to become a fan. Instead of being the dastardly rogue, you've just been conducting "fanship screenings".

Jim Baen really did have the right idea and Gaiman knows the score. Publishers and authors alike should just relax, enjoy the free advertising, and let readers decide how to separate the wheat from the chaff.

[Keryl Raist]

From the majority of pirates I've met, they usually don't buy the book or the other works of the author if they liked it. Now maybe it's an age thing. (Most of the pirates I've talked to are teens.) Or maybe it's a cultural thing. (They seem to be under the impression that all content should be free.) But one thing is true about this group, you aren't losing sales by them taking advantage of a pirated copy, because they weren't going to buy a legit one.

[Namekuseijin]

Originally Posted by wvcherrybomb

Since I learned how to obtain pirated books, I have used them as a sampler buffet of sorts. I have found a few authors there I had never heard of. If I find a book that I love, I head over to Amazon and buy it legally. One of the authors, I have not only bought the book I originally got pirated, but also three more of her books. By the same token, if I hate it, I delete it without reading further and forget about it.

BTW, how is this any different from going at a store, sitting down at one of the sofas and reading the book at will? Aside from doing it from your couch, of course.

e-stores usually just provide a few sample chapters, you can't flip pages at will as you can on a physical bookstore.

Can't help but think in the near future free ebooks will be regarded as just a marketing device to move lush hardcovers.

[wvcherrybomb]

Originally Posted by silasgreenback

you've just been conducting "fanship screenings".

I love this term. I think I'll use it in the future if you don't mind.

Originally Posted by Keryl Raist

From the majority of pirates I've met, they usually don't buy the book or the other works of the author if they liked it. Now maybe it's an age thing. (Most of the pirates I've talked to are teens.) Or maybe it's a cultural thing. (They seem to be under the impression that all content should be free.) But one thing is true about this group, you aren't losing sales by them taking advantage of a pirated copy, because they weren't going to buy a legit one.

I'm sure much of it is an age/culture thing. I am a 47 year old grandmother who knows how hard it is to earn a dollar. I suppose this whole method of exposure wouldn't work with teens since they have little or no money to spend anyway. But, like you mentioned, this means they wouldn't be customers anyway so it's a moot point.

[Keryl Raist]

Originally Posted by Namekuseijin

BTW, how is this any different from going at a store, sitting down at one of the sofas and reading the book at will? Aside from doing it from your couch, of course.

e-stores usually just provide a few sample chapters, you can't flip pages at will as you can on a physical bookstore.

Can't help but think in the near future free ebooks will be regarded as just a marketing device to move lush hardcovers.

I'd think the biggest difference is that a lot of pirates don't buy the book even if they like it. They aren't just using it as a sampling technique. As a writer I don't mind if they want to browse. I do mind if they are just avoiding paying for the work.

On Amazon you can flip through the paper books with the "look inside" feature. You can read something like the first 10% with the ebook preview feature. If you go to Smashwords, you can often sample up to 50% of the book.

And, I may be wrong about this, but I think you can also return ebooks.

If you need more than that to make up your mind, it's time to go to the library and just get the book for free.